Drive release for geared threader



June 14, 1960 R. B. PEALER 2,940,093

DRIVE RELEASE FOR GEARED THREADER Filed Jan. 20, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l /7 i5 M52 j 4 j; XN

June 14, 1960 R. B. PEALER 2,940,093

DRIVE RELEASE FOR GEARED THREADER Filed Jan. 20, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 2%e77-z .5, Peer @FIVE/s'.

2,940,093 DRIVE RELEASE FOR GEARED THREADER Robert B. Pealer, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The Toledo Pipe Threading Machine Co., Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio Filed Jan. 20, 1958, Ser. No. 709,924

3 Claims. (Cl. 10-120.5')

'I'his invention relates generally to pipe threaders and more particularly to a geared threader which includes an automatic drive release for discontinuing the threading operation after a predetermined length of a pipe has been threaded.

In pipe tbreaders, a jam-proof feature is desirable so that a pipe threading operation terminates automatical- -ly without manual attention and jamming of the threader parts is positively prevented.

The principal object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an improved pipe threader which operates automatica-lly to terminate each pipe threading operationv after a predetermined length of the pipe has been provided with a thread.

A further object of this invention is to provide a geared threader of the above type which utilizes a separate ring gear so that ring gears for several threaders can be cut in a stack.

Another object of this invention is to provide a geared threader of the above type which includes a separable lead screw and lead screw collar assembly so that different vthreads can be cut with the same threader by merely changing the lead screw and collar assembly.

Still a further object of this invention is torprovide a geared threader of the above type which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and efficient in operation in forming threads on a workpiece and automatically terminating the pipe threading operation.

Further objects, features `and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of the threader of this invention, showing the relative positions of the threader parts at the beginning of a thread-cutting operation;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the threader of this invention, illustrated similarly to Fig. 1, showing a moved position of the threader parts after the threader has operated to automatically terminate a threading operation; and

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the threader of this invention.

With reference to the drawing, the threader of this invention, indicated generally at 1G, is illustrated in Fig. 1 as including a workholder 12 having a central opening 14 in which a pipe 16 to be threaded is positioned and clamped to the workholder by means of screw and jaw assemblies 18. Each assembly 1S includes a screw 15 provided with a knurled operating disk 17 which projects into a slot in the outer end of an indicator post 19 slidably supported in the workholder 14 alongside the screw 1S. A clamping jaw 21, described in detail in application Serial No. 703,521, tiled December 18, 1957, owned by the assignees of this application, is secured by a set screw 23 to the lower end of the indicator post 19 and is connected to the lower end of the screw 15 so that the screw is rotatable relative to the jaw 21 andthe jaw 21 is movable toward and away from the pipe 16 with the screw 15. f

The workholder 12includes an integral tubular hub portion 24, which is coaxial with the Workholder opening 14 and which supports a ring gear 26. An annular rim 2S at one end of the hub 24 supports an inwardly extending flange 27 on a gear case 20 which is positioned yabout the ring gear 26. A

As shown in Fig. 3, the ring gear 26 has a rst or bearing portion 28 rotatably supported on the hub 24 for the workholder 12, and a second recessed portion 30, and a radial shoulder -32 at the juncture of the portions 28 and 30. The bearing portion 28 is formed with evenly spaced notches or cutout portions 34 for a purpose to appear presently. l

A clutch ring 40 positioned in the recessed gear portion 3u carries four pins 42 which are slidably supported,

within openings 46 in the ring gear bearing portion 28. Springs 48 in the openings 46 press against the pins 42 and normally maintain the clutch ring 40 in an outwardly moved position in which the ring is against ran inwardly extending ilange 5t) on the gear case 20. In this position of the clutch ring 443, four spaced teeth-52 on the hub :24 are positioned within four corresponding notches 54 in the clutch ring 40. The teeth 52 and notches 54 are evenly spaced about the axis of the hub 24 wd the clutch ring 40 so that the clutch ring can be arranged in any one of four posi-tions in which any one of the teeth 52 is in any one of the4 notches 54. The notches 34 in the ring gear 26 are of a size such that during movement of the ring gear onto the huo 24, the teeth 52 are movable through the notches 34.

It can thus be seen that when the clutch ring 4% is in its spring-pressed position, it acts to lock the ring gear 26 to the Workholder A12 since the pins 42 effectively connect the clutch ring 40 to the ring gear .26 and the teeth 52 and notches 54 provide for a releasable connection of the clutch ring 40 to the workholder 12.

A plurality of bumper pins 51 (only one of which is shown) are slidably supported in the flange 50 on the gear case 29 so that the pin heads 53 are in engagement with one face of the clutch ring 40. t As will more clearly appear hereinafter, when the bumper pins 51 are moved in a direction toward the clutch ring 40, they act to move the clutch ring inwardly on the hub 24 so that the notches 54 are moved off the teeth 52 to release the ring gear v2( from the workholder 12.

An elongated tubular shaft Ihousing 56 is threaded into an opening 58 in the gear case 20 so that thehousing 56 is substantially parallel to and arranged to one side of apipe 16 supported on theworkholder 12 for threading. A drive shaft 60 rotatably supportedfon bearings 62 in housing 56 carries a pinion @gear 64 positioned the' ring gear is locked to the stationary workholder 12.'V

During such movement, the gear case 20 also rotates about the ring gear 26. When the clutch ring 40V is moved inwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 2 so that the ring gear 26 is unlocked `from the workholder 12, driving of the pinion 64 merely effects a rotation of the gear 26 about the hub 24.

A lead screw collar 66 provided with internal threads 68is secured by bolts 70 to the hub 24 so that the co1- lar 66 is in a coaxial relation with the Workholder opening 14. A lead screw or barrel 72 is provided with external threads 74 whiohrnesh with the threads 68 0n the collar 66. The lead screw 72 is provided at its outer end with an outwardly extending radial ange 76 which is Patented June 14,l 1960A Y 1 -ries chaser elements 82.

Y werknemer 1 tlreding' operation.

secured y bo ltsvv78, only one of which is Vshovvn, to theV inside surface of Van annular lchaser frame 80 which carhe elements 82', which are wenn@ refranes mee-usuarmamerfnew1 Y vided at their'vinner:endsvvitlrlcutting teethgSlandl at l their outer ends 83 are in'abuttingengagementWithlaperf pins`8 4 secur vrtcgthe gearcase 2) and; slidablyf supportedrinlopenings 'infthe chaserlirame *80.V On movement ot'the ehaser `,frame 80V Ytoyvard theY gear case' 20,- f Vin: response tov rotation yof, thefdrive'- shaft 60, thechasers 82Inoveroutyvardly, by yirtue. of the tapered construction in. Wlu'chY theiangegabuts either the teethSZor the ange 9 0 During cutting of a-'thread, thev frictional `forcesA A Y* exerted` on. ther-'pins 84 and housing 576; ibY the ohaser' 'frame-80 moves-the gear case 26 tothe'leftas'viewedin Pig. l so thatithevang'e 50 abuts the teeth Y52. When'VY the 'lead screvv- 72is to` be backed off at the'c'onclusion of a1 threadingY operation to position the chaser: framers!) for a subsequentthreading operation', the gear Vcase'V 201 is Y moved Iin theopposite directionlto-aposition'of the ange '505 againstvthe iange9t)Y sothatthe chasers 32 are in eifectretracted: relative tothe-thread 'formed on the` pipe"161so'vthatI the? chasers do not out during return movement ofthe frame; 80.

In vthe-operationof th'e"threadery l() to cut a thread;

on oneendV of the pipe'fl-lythe drive shaft 60 isl'driven sothat thepinion64-'isrotatedabout thering'gearZ in a'dire'ctio'n to-advancetheilead-screw 72 ontthe collar'66;

' During rota'tionbofV the-leadl-screvt/,the Chaser frameg isvsimilarly` Y'rotatedv torino've` the chasers- 82 about the pipe 16to out-'at'hread which is tapered in accordance withztheftaperrofjthe; pins 84.,- the-threadcuang operation! hasSpi-nceedecL-to the-'point Where theange 7 6 thai-clutch ring40 siii'iciently to' move'v the'clutch ring V40lfinflranl axial! direction'. adistance necessary to dis*-v l e'r'1 "g"agefthe-notches-547frotzrthefteeth52;l as shown in Y Fig.- 2'; the 'threadingf operationl is automaticallyV termi# Y. natefd'sinfce thevring :gearl 26e-willvthen'merely rotate aboutvr Y Ythehub 24.V `'1`ghe`pinsv51lparent a llength such-that ad-V .varieeajdithe lead screw-infie `terminated WhileV the Y' 'a'ngefv76 sjspaced fromv the'col-larf 65? The operatorJ ,-cgml the r-aniially'ir atelthechaser'frame SGafndthe lead screw V7 2 inl op iteidirection to' release thechasersSZ'f'from; Y

' ece-' 16-whoh can-thenberenioved fronrtbe` discontinue-fthe driver for the shaft Strand TliefspringsST-vfor thle'pins l2V provide Yfor an autornaticlreturn of'the'clutch ring 40th aposfition locking areot' alignedlvtrith'theS teeth 525 the shaft 61H5 readily` the einen ring sz'so'that Y the-fY Qtoalig-n the notches 54 with the vteeth n From the Yabove 'descriptionlit-is" seen that this inven- Y tieneprovidesfa threader' llfvhich is jam-proof by virtue of-'the1-releasable"attachment'of the ,ring'gear 26 to the Werkhold'e'rlZr As ar'esixlt of the inclusion in the i threader'` lllofaseparateiring gear *Zas contrasted Wit-h' Y Y' fprming'ringtgear 26fintegralv With'hnb 24V, therin'g gear' YVteetlzfcan'be c hncurrtfmtlyf` cut o'ri'jaistarzlrofV ring gears;

" Such a construction' makes" it'VV possibleY to` produce' a threader 10 at a reduced cost andbin addition, makes possible a separate replacement of a ring gear having Worn teethrather than requiring the replacement of an entire Workholder 12 and integral ring gear 26.V The attachment -of the lead'screw collar 66 to the workholder k12 .by meansrof the boltsjrnakes it possible to readily detach the collar 66.` Similarly; the lead screw 72 is readily' detached;fromthegpchaser frame 80fby' removing theV 'bolts 78. Accordingly, to cut different threads on a W'orkpiecf'etp16? it' is"l Ionly necessarytol remove; the '-c'ollarL Y V65"-a`n`d theleadjscrewj for replacement with ebriet ofthe pins $4780 as to cut a taperedthread'on'rtheworkl spending partsY having the requisite thread -forrnation It will Ybe*understoodthat the specifici construction of the improved geared threadei which is herein disclosed and described is"pr`esented for purposesgof explanation and illustration and is not intended to indicatelimits of the invention,Y Ythe scope of which is ydened by the followingaclaims. L Y Y 'Y 1.--11'1 a` pipeV threader having` aworkholder: a,V ring` gear rotatably mountedontheworkholder, a pinion ar-k ranged in'meshing engagement with thejringL gean: aj driver' shaft for thepinion, and al chaserV frame arranged invracoaxialrelation:withthe Workholder and connected to the l drive shaft; for rotatablefmovement in-response to Y travel of the pinion about thering gear; ay leadscrew attached -tochaserframeV and Yextending* towardV the Workholder, means `on'the workholder threadably supportingV the'lead screw so'that-on rotation of `the' Chaser framel in a threadY cutting Vdirection itis advancedv toward-A the workholder, a clutch ring mounted on the ring gear so Vthatthe clutch ringis movable axially of-'the ring gear between tvvo positions and isi connected to the ring gear for rotationtherevvith, toothand'rnotch means on the. workholder'and the clutch ring arranged for interengagementinone of-said clutclfrring` positions for locking the Y clutch ring to the workholder, Vandmeans engageable -eadelllis in condition forthe next'V Yin meshing engagement'wthV therrin'grgear, a drive shaft" with the clutchring forjmovingthe clutch ring. to the other ofsaid positions; for-releasingthe clutch ringrfrom' the workholder in response to a-predeterminedrradvance of said chaser frame. Y Y y Y 2. In aipipe threader having a Workholdena ringgear Yrotatably mounted on theWorlcholden-Y a pinion arranged' in meshing. engagement with the ringrgcar, a drive shaft for the piniongagear case for saidgears,V andf a Chaser frame Varranged ina coaxial relation-With the workholder and connected to the dn'yefshaft for rotatable Vmovement response to travelof the' pinion"-abont`the` ring gear; a lead screw attached'to the ChaserY frame'and extending Ytoward the Workholder, means/'on thew'orkholderthred.

ably supporting the yleadV screw so'thatoirot'atio loftheY chaser frame' ina` thre'a'dcut'ting direction itis advanced vtoward nre workholde'r; ldurch ringmeanraten"nieY Y ring gear ,so that the clutch' ring is movable vaxiallyllc'nf' tlieringgear betvvee'ntv'vdpositionsV and is connected'to the ring gear" for` rotationrther'ewith, tooth" and notch' meansY on" theV Workholc'ier and'` theclutc'h" 'ring arranged for inter'en'gagement' in oneof saidclutch ring'p'ositions' for locking the clutch ring to theworkholderY and bumper pins slidably mounted onsaid gear'case and movable' into engagementrwith the clutch'ring for moving Vthe clutch ringto the other of said positions for releasing theicllitch ring from the Workholder in response to aapredeterrnined advance of saidchaser frame. A Y

3; In apipe'threader having VYa workholder,V a 'ringgealj rotatably mounted on the Worlcholder, a pinion arranged for th'e'pinion, and a Chaser frame arrangedy inv a coaxial-`-r relation with'the workholder and connected'to the drive shaft for rotatableV movement in response to'travel'fo'f the" pinion about the ring gear; *aflead screw attached 'to' Vsaid chaser'frame Aand'extending toward the' workholder;

holder, a clutch ring mounted on the ring -gear so that the clutch ring is movable axially of the ring gear between two positions and is cennected to the ring gear for rotation therewith, tooth and notch means on the Workholder and the clutch ring arranged for interengagement in one of said clutch ring positions for locking the clutch ring to the Workholder, bumper pins slidably mounted on said gear case and movable into engagement with the clutch ring for moving the clutch n'ng to the other of said positions for releasing the clutch ring from the workholder in response to a predetermined advance of S said chaser frame, and spring pressed means on the ring gear engaging the clutch ring for urging the clutch ring toward the rst of said positions.

References Cited in the le or 'this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,062,840 Miller May 27, 1913 2,504,018 Gibson Apr. 11, 1950 2,646,691 Heisler Iuly 28, 1953 2,680,861 Ingwer June 15, 1954 2,753,575 Ingwer July 10, 1956 

